The centre of Praiano is at about 10 minutes walk from the properties and offers all services, food shops (the “Emporio” to name one, which can also do home deliveries at no extra charge), bars, pizza places and restaurants. There are very interesting paths ( like the famous Path of the Gods) along the coast and those who are interested in trekking will certainly enjoy them.
The owners, who live nearby, own a Hotel in Praiano: they speak English, German, French, and Italian and will be happy to assist their guests with any possible advice or information on visits (including local English speaking guides), itineraries, transfers, etc. They can also organize tailored excursions via sea or land on request.
Not far from the Villa is a very practical bus stop that connects Praiano to all the other centres of the Amalfi Coast. Especially in the Summer, we strongly advise guests to use public transportation because car parks are very few, hard to find and rather expensive. Those guests who prefer to rent a car for their excursions, can ask the owners to arrange a rental with English speaking driver. On request, they can organize a transfer for guests from Naples to Praiano (cost is 100,00 Euros for up to 3 persons and 150,00 Euros for up to 6 persons).
The “La Praia” Beach (gravel and pebbles) is a 5 minutes walk from the Villa and there you can swim, sunbathe, or take a boat to reach the various localities along the coast and the islands via sea. There are also a Scuba Diving Centre, a Water Taxi service and a Boat Rental facility. The beach also offers a number of Bars and Restaurants where they serve excellent local food and pizza: let us not forget that pizza is the result of Neapolitan creativity!
The property cannot be reached by car, that needs to be parked at about 15 minutes walk from the house, which is reached through the narrow roads and steps that give access to the houses of the residents. The Villa occupants can book a parking space through the owners that will be charged by the administration at Euros 100,00 per week.
Like most houses in this area Villa Diane is accessed directly from the road where the private parking is. From the road, and typical to this area, instead of climbing stairs, apartments are accessible by going down steps along the sloping coast. The villa develops on three floors that occupy the typical almost vertical terraced landscape that from the mountains in the background cut the coastline horizontally as far down as the seaside.
The property has recently been restored and all materials used are health friendly. Hot water is provided by a solar panel system. Floor tiling, both inside and outside the Villa, consists of local hand made pink cotto fired in wood burning kilns.
The private entrance to the property is from a private terrace (60 sqm) next to the kitchen. The entrance door is into an open plan room divided into separate areas. On the left are steps that lead down to the lower level where the bedrooms are. Another door next to the entrance is into a utilities room with washing machine and ironing equipment.
The open plan room is partially occupied by the living/dining areas with satellite TV, DVD, WIFI. Another section of the room hosts the kitchen, which is complete with gas stove (4 burners), electric oven, microwave, grill, dishwasher, fridge with freezer, toaster, and American style electric coffee machine. A door in the living area opens onto a utilities bathroom (wash basin and WC). Two very luminous panoramic glass doors open onto the terrace that offers an incredible view over the sea.
The terrace is equipped with table and chairs and garden furniture and partly shaded by a beautiful Wisteria and Bougainvillea pergola. Lounge chairs and a BBQ are also available in this covered area.
Down the steps that connect the main entrance to the lower level, is a landing with two doors that open into two double bedrooms (both with beds that cannot be separated) and both with ensuite complete bathrooms, one with shower stall and one with both Jacuzzi bathtub and separate shower box.
Both bathrooms have windows. Both bedrooms have glass doors that give access to a second terrace (60 sqm) equipped with sun beds, loungers, chairs and table. This terrace has a vine pergola that provides a shaded area.
The internal stairs lead down to the ground floor studio room with a large panoramic window and double bed. When the house is booked in the version for 4 persons, this room will not be offered as a bedroom.
An extra mid-week linen change is included in the price and your luggage will be carried up from the parking area to the house by the staff. There is a final cleaning fee charged at 100 Euros for 4 persons and 120 Euros for 6 persons. Local Town sojourn fee may apply.
There is a vegetable garden that crowns the house, with fruit trees that provide lemons, oranges, tangerines, plums, figs, apricots, peaches and pomegranates according to the season. The house is tastefully and comfortably furnished with a mixture of modern and antique pieces.